David Deem 714-997-3486 If you’ve got a painting project on deck and want to be on point in the color trend department, consider Behr Paint’s 2019 Color of the Year: Blueprint S470-5. Created to reflect its namesake, the calming but rich, mid-tone blue is warmer than denim but softer than navy. "Much like the sketches builders rely on to bring an architectural design to life, Blueprint S470-5 lays a foundation for consumers to make their unique vision a reality," said Erika Woelfel, vice president of Color and Creative Services at Behr. "This universally appealing hue provides a steady stream of positivity and is poised to be an instant classic for years to come." While on its own, the color makes a subdued statement, it can take on a variety of roles when paired with other colors, from adding depth and variety or acting as a neutral to anchor bolder palettes. For example, Behr suggests using Blueprint as the starting point with the following four 2019 co...

David Deem 714-997-3486 While the dishwasher is a magical place for deep cleaning a wide variety of household items beyond dishes, this method of cleaning is not safe for many of your beloved possessions, and can be harmful to many materials. Check out this not-for-the-dishwasher list from Martha Stewart: - Acrylic - Adhesive-joined pieces - Aluminum, including anodized aluminum - Antiques - Blown glass - Brass - Bronze - Cast iron - China with metallic decoration - Crystal - Disposable plastics not labeled "dishwasher-safe" - Flatware with bone, plastic, or wood inlays or handles - Gold-plated flatware - Iron - Knives - Many nonstick pots and pans (check manufacturer's instructions first) - Milk glass - Pewter - Rubber tools - Tin - Wooden spoons Martha also advises against crowding too many pieces into the flatware basket as this can cause scratching, and to never mix sterling or silver-plate and stainless-steel flatware in the dishwasher,...

David Deem 714-997-3486 By Brianna Barcena Using a handheld device like it's a magic wand to instantly control the temperature, lighting, security and overall atmosphere of your home is no longer the starry-eyed stuff of science fiction. Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence (AI), mobile technology and the accelerating growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), beefing up your living space with smart tech is fast becoming a reality within reach of the average person. Devices like Alexa, Amazon Echo and Google Home have led the way. And the numbers support the notion that they are at the leading edge of a rising wave of innovations. Zion Market Research predicts that the global smart home tech market will reach $53.45 billion by 2022. Here are some new and upcoming advances in smart home technology that will continue to revolutionize how we express our nesting instincts: Home Health Tech Advances in AI have big implications for seniors or hospice patients a...

David Deem 714-997-3486 By Suzanne De Vita According to the August Zillow® Real Estate Market Report, home prices and rents slowed as summer wound down, with prices up 6.5 percent year-over-year—a departure from 8.2 percent this spring—and rents unchanged. Based on the Zillow Home Value Index and the Zillow Rent Index, the median price is $216,700, and the median rent is $1,440. In August 2017, home prices were rising 7.4 percent, according to Zillow. On the rental side, appreciation has not exceeded 3 percent for more than two years. "Earlier this year, the housing market was a story of diverging paths, with rents steadily cooling and home values picking up speed," says Aaron Terrazas, senior economist at Zillow. "Normally rents and home values are tied together, but strong apartment construction and a surge of young homebuyers contributed to this historical anomaly. "As summer turns to fall, the more typical pattern is reemerging, as rents and home...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Despite new regulation and a trade war, China is continuing its hold as a key player on the property scene in the U.S., according to recently released research. In 2017, Chinese investors poured $39.7 billion into real estate in the U.S., Juwai.com reports. The majority—$30.4 billion—was on the residential side, and in California, Florida and New York. “The United States remains the top country for Chinese property investment,” says Carrie Law, CEO and director of Juwai.com. “Mainland Chinese acquired U.S. real estate worth more than in all the countries we tracked in Asia or in Europe.” According to Law, the attraction is driven by economy and lifestyle. “What Chinese homebuyers like about the United States is the educational opportunities, clean food and air, our diversified culture, and our economic and employment opportunities,” Law says. “For a Chinese buyer, purchasing properties in the United States is seldom really about the home itse...

David Deem 714-997-3486 California law requires that the smoke alarms be placed in each bedroom in addition to placing them outside each sleeping area. Presently the California State Building Code requires that smoke alarms be located in: The hallway outside the bedrooms  In each bedroom and On every floor regardless of whether there is a bedroom on that floor. Also, commencing July 1st, 2014, the State Fire Marshal will require battery operated smoke alarms to contain a non-replaceable, non-removable battery capable of powering the smoke alarm for at least 10 years Cal. Health & Safety Code sections 13113.7 and13113. www.DeemTeam.com DRE#01266522

David Deem 714-997-3486 This month, the FDIC is reminding consumers that the three major consumer credit reporting companies — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — have new standards to enhance the quality of the credit reports they produce. The following changes are in response to a 2015 legal settlement requiring action by these companies to reduce errors on credit reports: - In July 2017, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion began removing tax liens (a legal claim on assets of a delinquent taxpayer) and civil judgment debts (court-ordered payment of damages) from consumer credit reports, if the information is incomplete. - These three bureaus also agreed to exclude medical debts on consumer credit reports until such debts are at least 180 days past due. As of September 15, 2017, the new 180-day waiting period gives consumers time to resolve medical billing issues. Elizabeth Ortiz, the FDIC's deputy director for consumer and community affairs says consumers can also take...

David Deem 714-997-3486 If you’re in the market for a new home, there are many stressors that naturally factor into the process. If you happen to have children, however, a completely new layer of stress is added to the process. According to the results of the recently released 2018 Moving with Kids Report from the National Association of REALTORSⓇ, real estate consumers with children under the age of 18 are confronted with a unique set of needs that play out in the home-buying and -selling process. Here are some of the findings from the report that depict those needs: Buyers with children tend to purchase larger homes than their childfree counterparts. The average buyer with children under 18 purchases a 2,100-square-foot home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, while the average buyer with no children chooses a 1,750-square-foot home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Both groups prefer a single-family, detached house. Schools are a critical factor. Fifty percent of...

David Deem 714-997-3486 According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, natural disasters in the United States last year were responsible for $306 billion worth of damage, the most expensive year ever. Yet, despite increasing media coverage and widespread awareness of the tragedy and destruction Mother Nature can cause, 60 percent of those surveyed report not having a plan in place should disaster strike, according to Farmers Insurance®. In fact, half of survey respondents who have actually experienced a natural disaster in their adult lives still don’t have an emergency kit, and 55 percent of that same group don't have an emergency plan in place. Other interesting findings from the survey include: Millennials are the most prepared generation, 44 percent of whom are most likely to have an emergency plan, and 49 percent an emergency kit. In comparison, 41 percent of baby boomers have a kit—and just 38 percent have a plan. Among the individuals with emerge...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Although consumers are feeling slightly less inclined to buy or sell a home right now, their overall sentiments toward home buying are being bolstered by positive happenings in the economy at large, as evidenced by the most recent Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI), which increased in August 2018 for the first time since May, edging up 1.5 points to 88. The uptick is largely attributed to increases in the job- and income-related HPSI components. For example, the net share of Americans who said they aren’t concerned about losing their job increased by 15 percentage points in August, a big jump from the previous month, which witnessed an 11 percentage point decrease. This jump in attitudes toward job security helped to offset decreases in sentiments toward housing. Another positive sign? The number of survey respondents who said their household income is significantly higher than it was 12 months ago increased by 1 percentage point, which ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Bathroom and kitchen upgrades are among the most popular home renovations, but not just because the improvements are likely to increase the home's value. Renovations to these high-use areas can enhance the practical enjoyment of your home while adding aesthetic appeal and style. A Better Bathroom Bathroom makeovers can take many forms, from simple updates to total overhauls. Consider these common approaches, identified by the home experts at JCPenney Home Services, to determine the best match for your home and needs. Tub-to-Shower Updates According to the National Association of REALTORS®, more than 60 percent of homeowners prefer a stall shower without a tub. Whether you want to join the ranks of homeowners transforming their outdated tubs to modern showers, need a larger tub to soak away the day or simply want to update the look of your space, converting your tub or shower is a simple way to add functionality while transforming your bathroom. ...

714-997-3486 In the past two-weeks, demand, the number of pending sales over the prior 30-days, decreased by 188 pending sale, 8%, its largest drop of the year. Demand now totals 2,162, the lowest demand reading for this time of the year since 2007. The supply problem that everybody had talked about has evolved into a demand problem with very low readings starting in May of this year. With higher mortgage rates and property values, buyers are not as motivated to purchase as they have been. Last year at this time, demand was at 2,624 pending sales, 21% more than today, or 462 additional pending sales. The expected market time, the amount of time it would take for a home that comes onto the market today to be placed into escrow down the road, increased from 89 to 98 days in the past two-weeks, its highest level for this time of the year since 2011 and is a Balanced Market (between 90 and 120 days). Last year, the expected market time was at 64 days, considerably hotter than toda...

714-997-3486 ·          So far this year, 16% fewer homes have come on the market below $500,000 compared to last year, and there have been 25% fewer closed sales. Fewer and fewer homes and condominiums are now priced below $500,000. This price range is slowly vanishing. www.DeemTeam.com DRE#01266522

714-997-3486 Sitting on the edge of a lake fishing, time stops. Sometimes the fishing is great and the bucket is filled with fish. There are days when after fishing for hours, only one is reeled onto the dock. But, there are days, after trying every kind of bait, fishing produces absolutely nothing. A big part of fishing is all about using the bait that is working and being extremely patient. Today’s sellers remind me of a kid that goes fishing for the very first time. After five minutes with their pole in the water they inquire, “How long before I catch a fish?” They quickly realize that fishing is not instantaneous and that it requires quite a bit of time and persistence. Current sellers have heard about how great the fishing had been and how the housing market was generating instantaneous, multiple offers. For years, up until May of this year, sellers had been selling their homes at or near their list prices, and sometimes fetched even more. Yet, the housing market has...

David Deem 714-997-3486 In August, consumer confidence rose, posting a 133.4 reading in the Consumer Confidence Index® from The Conference Board. July's reading was 127.9. The Expectations reading of the Index, which gauges how consumers feel about their business, employment and income prospects six months out, improved, as well, to 107.6, while the Present Situation reading, which gauges how consumers feel about conditions currently, rose to 172.2. "Consumer confidence increased to its highest level since October 2000 following a modest improvement in July," said Lynn Franco, director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board, in a statement. "Consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions improved further. Expectations, which had declined in June and July, bounced back in August and continue to suggest solid economic growth for the remainder of 2018. Overall, these historically high confidence levels should continue to support...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com You can change a house—location is tougher. According to new research by Trulia, 36 percent of Americans have "neighborhood regret," or would have moved to another neighborhood than the one they reside in today. The feeling is heightened in metros, where 46 percent are dissatisfied with their pick, but less pronounced in rural areas (31 percent) and the suburbs (30 percent) The portal surveyed 1,000 Americans in Austin, Chicago and San Francisco who moved in the past three years. What makes a neighborhood suitable? Forty-eight percent of those surveyed were motivated by the "vibe," 37 percent were affected by crime rates, and another 37 percent were attracted to easier travel to work. Attributes that led to regret? Lack of public transit, noise and traffic. Is your neighborhood is a problem? For future moves, prepare through research. Look up neighborhood photos—something just 38 percent of those surveyed did—...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Home prices are still on a tear, but growing less significantly than in 2017, according to CoreLogic's latest Home Price Index (HPI™) report. In July—around the height of one of history's hottest housing markets—prices rose 6.2 percent year-over-year, the report shows. "With increased interest rates and home prices, the CoreLogic Home Price Index is rising at a slower rate than it was a year ago," says Dr. Frank Nothaft, chief economist for CoreLogic. "While markets in the western part of the country continue to experience rapid home price growth, many of those metros are overvalued, and will likely experience a slowdown soon." Fifty percent of the 100 largest markets are overvalued, a condition CoreLogic defines as when "home prices are at least 10 percent higher than the long-term, sustainable" trend; 40 percent are at value, and 20 percent are undervalued ("at least 10 percent below the long-term, sustain...

David Deem 714-997-3486 By Jose Villarreal As is the case with most household appliances, modern technological advancements can result in massive improvements. This means you'll need to stay up-to-date on the latest breakthroughs in order to ensure maximum performance and return on investment in the future. Here are the top benefits of installing a tankless water heater in your home: Save Money on Your Energy Bill With a conventional water heater, hot water is stored inside the tank. In theory, this keeps a ready supply of hot water on hand for immediate use, but the fact is that the hot water just sits around when not being used. In time, the heat will dissipate and the water heater will need to reheat the water. This is not only a complete waste of energy; it also costs you extra money at the end of the month on your energy bill. Tankless Is Better Than Conventional A tankless water heater does not store hot water for later use. Instead, a tankless water heater o...

David Deem 714-997-3486 (Family Features)—Kitchens and bathrooms are among the most common renovation projects, and countertops are often a focal point of these redesigns; however, choosing the right countertop can be overwhelming. To help make the difficult decision a little simpler, JCPenney Home Services experts offer insight on two of the most popular choices: Granite Granite countertops have long been the mainstay of a beautiful kitchen or bathroom. Granite is a natural stone, quarried from large stone deposits around the world. It can have many different variations of patterns and colors, giving each slab a unique appearance that is visually rich and dynamic. In addition to its distinctive beauty and classic elegance, granite is also extremely durable. Granite is highly resistant to heat and scratches and, with proper sealing, offers good water and stain resistance, and is easy to clean. Granite typically needs to be sealed, both prior to installation and at least o...

David Deem 714-997-3486 As most homeowners know, appliances are not low-cost items. The average lifespan of an oven is between 12 and 16 years, and the need to purchase a new one can sneak up on you. However, there are things you can do to lengthen the life of your oven. Below are a few tips. Keep it clean. Obviously, regularly cleaning your oven can help lengthen its life, as gunked-up ovens have to work harder to heat. Doing a good, deep clean of your oven at least once a year—or more if you use it frequently—should help. And while many ovens do have self-cleaning options, some professionals caution against them, so check with a pro about your particular model before you flick that switch. Keep rust at bay . Rust, even if only on the outside, can shorten your oven's life span—and it looks unsightly. If dealing with rust on the outside, you can look for a rust cleaner containing oxalic acid. On the inside, keep it non-toxic by scrubbing with baking soda and vinegar. ...

714-997-3486 David Deem Looking to brighten your days? Look at the walls. Studies have shown that looking at certain colors can impact your mood, so choose a few of the following to incorporate into your surrounding and bring on more smiles. Orange . This color boosts social connection, so paint a wall in your living room or kitchen a vivid orange and enjoy deeper, longer, joyous conversations.  Yellow. This sunny color is one of the most obvious mood brighteners, and there are many shades of yellow soft enough for an entire room. Green . This earthy tone is a stress reliever. Roll it onto the wall across from your bed and smile your way to sleep. Violet . This royal hue fosters creativity and intuition. Add it to your home office for more satisfaction in your work life. Fuschia . While this color is a tad bright for most walls, fuschia throw pillows can still splash around enough of the color to make an impact. www.DeemTeam.com DRE#01266522

714-997-3486 David Deem In a recent survey conducted by Zillow with Pulsenomics LLC, over 100 real estate economists and industry experts shared their predictions about the U.S. housing market in relation to buyer or seller leanings. While annual home-value appreciation was faster in 2018 than 2017, inventory shortages over the past 42 consecutive months have created a market environment that favors sellers. However, recent data suggests buyers and sellers may soon be switching roles. Price reductions are becoming more commonplace with home value growth slowing down in over half of the largest U.S. metros. A large group of survey respondents (43 percent) believe buyers will control the market in 2020. The shift may be sluggish, however, as appreciation even in slowed markets is above historic averages, signaling that the sellers' market may endure for a short while longer. In fact, U.S. home values are expected to increase 5.9 percent in 2018. "For the past sever...

714-997-3486 No matter how shiny you can get your window panes, if your screens are scuzzy, your windows will look less than well washed. Below are several tips for properly cleaning your pesky window screens. Start by removing your screens . To really deep clean your screens, you're going to have to remove them. While it may seem like a pain, the extra effort is worth it in terms of dirt removal. However, if you've done a deep window clean recently and are just doing a monthly touch-up, keeping your screens in place will work fine. Death to dirt. If your screens are moderately dirty, you may be able to remove dirt with a lint roller or the soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner. If your screens are grimier, they’ll need a scrubbing. Use dish soap or vinegar mixed with warm water. Wet your screens with a hose (do this outside, folks!), then dip a soft, clean cloth in your cleaning solution and have at it. Detail . Did you wash your window screens with a cloth...

714-997-3486 U.S. housing markets, when viewed as a whole, are now in rent territory, meaning renting and reinvesting, on average, will outperform owning and building equity in terms of wealth creation, according to the latest national index produced by Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University faculty. The last time U.S. markets as a whole crossed from ownership territory into rent territory was in June 1999. In January 2010, U.S. housing markets crossed back into ownership territory and have remained there until now. U.S. homeowners have, on average, outperformed renting and reinvesting in terms of wealth creation ever since. Currently, 16 of the 23 cities covered in the Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index are in rent territory. Those cities include Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis, all of...

714-997-3486 With Social Security trust fund reserves waning—predicted to be depleted by 2034, leaving Social Security unable to maintain full scheduled benefits—and the number of retirees expecting to receive benefits increasing, more and more Americans are relying on 401(k) savings to support their retirement living. In fact, Statista estimates there are 41.2 million households who presently own a 401(k) plan in the U.S. How does auto-enrollment fit in with these tax-advantaged savings accounts? There's a clear benefit, as recently determined by 401(k) record-keeper Alight Solutions LLC in its 2017 Trends & Experience in Defined Contributions Plans report. Far more individuals contribute to a 401(k) with an auto-enrollment feature (85 percent) than to plans without it (63 percent). While that should lead to higher savings rates and stronger financial health for future retirees, there is a glaring concern: Increases in auto-enrollment are leading to more early withdr...